February 2017 RV Manufacturer Recalls (Part 3 of 5)

Your recreational vehicle may be involved in a safety recall and may create a safety risk for you or your passengers. Safety defects must be repaired by a certified dealer at no cost to you. However, if left unrepaired, a potential safety defect in your vehicle could lead to injury or even death.

What is a recall?When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a recreational vehicle or item of RV equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle or equipment at no cost to the consumer.

NHTSA releases its most recent list of recalls each Monday. Vogel Talks RVing has been publishing this recall information for many years, typically at month’s end.

The number of RV recalls has increased significantly in recent years. We reported on more than 169 recalls during 2016, a 37.4 percent increase over the total recalls issued in 2015.

NHTSA announced 12 recall notices during January 2017.

It should be noted that RV recalls are related to vehicle safety and not product quality, per se. They are directly related to product safety, which trumps product quality, and for violating labeling requirements listed in federal motor vehicle safety standards.

NHTSA has no interest in an air conditioner failing to cool or slide out failing to extend or retract—unless they can be directly attributed to product safety.

Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2017 Sundance recreational trailers. The Federal Certification label on these vehicles may not have the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) listed on the label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, “Certification.”

Heartland will notify owners, and will provide them a replacement certification label, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland’s number for this recall is 99.01.32.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2017 Cyclone and Road Warrior toy haulers equipped with a Furrion cook top. The liquid propane (LP) hose that is connected to the cook top may be angled incorrectly, causing excessive pressure on the hose fitting and the gas valve, potentially resulting in a propane leak.

Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will install a flexible gas connector from the cook top to the LP hose, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland’s number for this recall is 99.01.33.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Highland Ridge RV (Highland) is recalling certain 2017 Open Range, Mesa Ridge and Roamer fifth wheels and travel trailers. These vehicles are equipped with an outside range that can be stored with the gas valve left open, allowing gas to enter and buildup within the vehicle.

Highland Ridge will notify owners and dealers will install a larger gas valve handle, inspect that the drawer guide rail is in its proper location, repairing it as required, and place a warning label on the range stating the gas valve must be turned off prior to storing the range in the unit. The recall is expected to begin February 28, 2017. Owners may contact Highland customer service at 1-260-768-7771. Highland’s number for this recall is 9904341.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Highland Ridge RV (Highland Ridge) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Open Range fifth-wheel vehicles. The axle hangers on the affected vehicles may puncture the riser tube wall, allowing the axle to shift and become misaligned.

Highland Ridge will notify owners, and dealers will weld on new hangers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 15, 2017. Owners may contact Highland Ridge customer service at 1-260-768-7771. Highland Ridge’s number for this recall is 9904343.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.